Deserved defeat for Men's 2nds

Halifax 2nds    0        Huddersfield Dragons 3rds    3  

Halifax achieved an unwanted hat trick for the second time this season with deserved defeat to near neighbours Huddersfield who gained the double over the Park Laners.

There were many more positives this week after the abject display at Rotherham. The side had a very compact look to it and welcomed back Oliver James and Mark Holmes from university and Luke Greenwood after unavailability. Also on the plus side was the return to full health of flu victims Stephen Fawkes, Nick Barker and Trevor Love.

Play started very evenly and both sides probed for an opening. Fax were direct and used the pace of Cameron Hellowell and guile of John Horsley to forge chances. The visitors passed well and had a very dangerous centre-forward who marauded  menancingly the whole match. Fred Owens commanded his area well and was authoratitive when called upon to make saves.

He was left flatfooted midway through the half when the Dragons striker showed superb skill to waltz past three defenders to slot the shot with aplomb. Halifax responded well and the family pairing of father David and son Sam Spencer worked hard for the equaliser.

As the match wore on Halifax’s fluency waned. Players dribbled rather than passed the ball and tiredness became more influential. Huddersfield maintained a passing strategy and looked increasingly assertive. Halifax were less effective as the match progressed and despite much huff and puff were never able to shake the visitors out of their stride.

Both the second and third goals were of similar quality to the first and it gave the opposing centre forward a deserved hat trick.

Halifax need to re-group over the festive period, hope that injured players recover fully, and reflect on the improvements that need to be made to ensure a relegation battle does not ensue